Whose "Food Revolution" is this again?

I want to like Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, truly I do, but after watching the first episode on Sunday, it may be tough.  I could start with the title, but won't; instead, I'll begin with the premise.  Jamie Oliver is going to change the way Huntington, WV eats through schools, in homes, and workplaces.  Where better than the CDC (Center for Disease Control) named "Unhealthiest City in America"to begin a study on our country's poorest eating habits?  How better to attempt a community intervention than cameras blazing, british hosting, town criticizing, limited information providing, reality television?  Our country's relationship with food needs therapy, that much is true, but I'm not sure this is the best way to face our problems.





What I found unsettling about the show's approach was the lack of tact used when reaching out to the city.  Every community runs differently, whether large or small, rich or poor, fat or skinny.  They each carry their own attitudes, values, and beliefs.  Before expecting to gain the trust of the people, an outsider must analyze, interpret, and understand what the community holds near and dear; only after will trust be gained and the outsider's expertise or opinion be taken seriously.  The producer's and Jamie did an awful job assessing the environment before storming the city with their TV cameras and big ideas.  Deservingly, they were shown little respect by the people.  As a result their first obstacle became reeling in trust from the mistrusting rather than gaining appreciation for the gradual changes from the believers.


America's poor relationship with food is being highlighted for the nation to see, BUT it must be taken lightly; it's still TELEVISION.  The show does not cover all of the information necessary to make thoughtful and smart interpretations of the problems we're facing.  For example, very little was given on the actual difficulties facing the "lunch ladies" in terms of available food.  An email from a colleague pointed out some of the flaws in the school lunch program.  Yes, on the show Jamie brought in raw chicken and cooked it in the school cafeteria.  No, chicken (in that form) is not available for schools to order and serve.  Jamie made a very small mention of this by noting this type of change is going to be hard and will need come from the powers that be (USDA), but I'm unsure if someone less engaged with the issue would make that connection.  The US school lunch program needs a complete overhaul to begin feeding our children real food.  I can only hope Jamie's Food Revolution remains focused on its goal (establishing healthful eating habits) and doesn't get sidetracked by America's love affair with dramas that end happily (Jamie vs Huntington, WV).  


As an end note, due to my restraint from earlier comment on the title, our food revolution has been taking place all over this country for years, this just may be the first time prime-time television took part.  There are countless people and organizations working to ignite change in our food system and policies everyday, many of them I have linked beside this post.  Take a moment, look at their initiatives.  They may be right in line with the changes you wish to see.  
  
The show is on ABC, two hours, tonight 7pm CST.  Watch for yourself.  I would love to hear your impressions.

High Fructose Corn Syrup...The Devil????

This post covers one of my favorite American food subjects...CORN, more importantly, a derivative called high fructose corn syrup or HFCS as I will refer to it throughout this post.  My nutrition class covered this subject at length this week and I'm going to share my new found knowledge, even if it wasn't initially what I wanted to hear.

Let me preface by saying the post you are about to read does not forgive the alarming presence of HFCS in the many processed foods in our grocery stores.  If you know me, you have heard me comment about corn maybe even two, three, or four times in conversation.  I still believe that this country's subsidized crop production is ruining our health, land, water, etc.  This post is a reflection of actual research mixed with a dose of healthy eating advise, not an opinion about American agricultural practices.

Get ready, here we go...many medical studies have concluded there is no significant difference between the effects of HFCS and sugar on our absorption, digestion, or metabolism.  The studies go on to discuss there are also very little distinctions chemically between HFCS and sugar.  The whole time concluding that it is not HFCS or added sugars making Americans fat.  Instead, it is overconsumption of processed foods containing sweeteners, and they are in many foods you'd never assume, not just soda, candy, etc.

The moral of the story is that our country's obesity epidemic cannot be blamed on HFCS or added sugars, instead, we need to examine our diets.  If highly processed foods are the main components (such as the American diet), we must shift to diets high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods in order to see a more healthful population.  

Let's pay attention to the foods we eat and feed children.  Begin by eating food that comes from the earth instead of those that were highly processed in a lab.  Read labels, think about ingredients, buy fresh produce, cook from scratch whenever possible.  If you like to eat out, find a place that puts your health in mind.  There are many ways to eat healthfully, but it has to begin with consciousness prior to the plate.

If you would like to question, comment, or clarify anything I wrote, PLEASE do.  Last thing I want is for someone to take the wrong message from this, meant to be, educational post.  Thanks!

*Image thanks to nataliedee.com 

Michelle says "Lets Move!"

Last week Will Allen spent time with Michelle Obama outlining what needs to be done for children in this country to fight obesity.  The "Lets Move" initiative was introduced on Tuesday.  It will support four major goals to help children make healthy choices, stay physically active, receive healthier school options, and acquire accessible, healthy, and affordable food.

Part of the launch brought us the USDA Food Atlas.  It shows users the location of food deserts across America.  A large amount of the program's funding will be placed in bringing grocery stores and farmers markets to these locations or healthier options into nearby convenience stores.  Food deserts have always been of particular concern for Will Allen and Growing Power so I can imagine this is where his ideas were integrated.

Let's hope this initiative catches steam and brings our children healthier outlooks on their futures.  Thanks to Will for being such an inspiring Wisconsinite!  I can only imagine what else he has up his sleeve.